, 1887-04-08
A DRAMATIC EVENT.
HENRY WARD DEEcHER'S CHILLY
RECEPTION AT RICHMOND, VA.
Incident of His Lecture After tho War.
Tho Ladies' Colby Curious and the
Men Cooliy Observation-Disclosures to
tho Echo.

zone of the most dramatic events in tho
oratorical career Of Henry Ward
Deccher,n says Mayor Darlington. Of
Richmond, Va, occurred in Richmond
five yeGrJ ago this spring, during his lee
turing tour through the south. The an
nounccmcnt that he was to lecture Mt
Mozart hall on Tho North md the South
filled the old building. 1t was his first
appearance in Richmond since the war,
end he was rather doubtful about the
kind of reception he would get. When he
walked ont Of the stage he saw before
him n distinguished audience of southern
ors, including several leading generals on
the losing side. In tho fourth row of the
orchestra sat Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, and just
behind him Gen. Rosser, while near by
were Ex-Governor Extra Billy Smith and
Governor Cameron. No applause greeted
the great preacher as he stepped before
the footlights. The ladies leveled their
opera glasses at him with cold curiosity
and the men looked coolly expectant.
Some Kisses from a few rowdies in the
gallery did not tend to dispel the chilliness
OF the reception.
Mr.. Bcechcr surveyed the audience
calmly for n moment, md then stepping
directly in front OF Gen. Lee, he said, 4
have seen pictures of Gen. Fitzhugh Lee,
and l judge that you are the man am I
rightf"
''Thc general, slightly taken back by
this direct address, nodded sti1fy, while
the audience bent forward, breathless with
curiosity as to what was going to follow.
Then said Mr.. Beechcr, his face
lighting up, Il want TO offer you this right
hand, which, in Its own way, fought
against you and yours twenty-five years
ago, but which l would now willingly
sacrifice to make tho sunny south pros
porous and happy. VIII you take it, gen
eral?'
a DEATu-LlKE STIFFNESS.
There was n moments hesitation, a
moment of death-like stiffness in the hall,
and then Titzhugh Lee was on his feet,
his hand was extended ncross the foot
lights and was quickly met by the warm
grasp Of tho preachers.
AT first there was Il murmur, half Of
surprise and half of doubtfulness, from the
audience; then there was a hesitating
clapping of hands, and before Beecher had
Embossed the hand Of Robert L. Lees
ncphew-now governor Of Virginia-thcre
were cheers such as were never before
heard in old Mozart, though it had been
the scene OF many u war mud political
meeting.
But that WINS only the beginning OF
tho enthusiasm.
"Whcn the noise subsidized Mr.. Beecher
continued: When | go back home l shall
proudly tell that l have grasped the hand
Of the nephew OF the great southern chief
tain; l shall tell my people that l went 10
the Confederate capital with a heart full
of love for the people whom my principles
once obliged me TO oppose, and that l was
met half way by the brave southerncrs,
who can forgive as well as they can fight. ;
Rive minutes Of applause followed,
and then Mr.. Beechcr, having gained the
hearts Of his audience, began his lecture,
and was applauded to the echo. That
night ho entered his carriage and drove to
his hotel amid shouts such as had never
greeted u northern man in Richmond
since tho war.-New York Home Journal.